Today marks 47 years since the historical landmark uprising of June 16 in 1976, yet our collective trauma lingers like an uninvited guest. It was on this day, that the disenfranchised and oppressed youth, decidedly, unified and defied government’s order to be taught in Afrikaans. As recorded by numerous historians and commentators, June 16’s pivotal role intensified momentum, that would ultimately contribute to the dismantling of apartheid.

Almost 30 years to the attainment of our political freedom, it is depressing to admit that our collective lived experience, is that of what seems like a constant and unjust struggle. More so for the poor and, most sadly, for the majority of our young people. Among a myriad of issues affecting youth today is that “South Africa’s youth continues to bear the burden of unemployment. Youth in South Africa continue to be disadvantaged in the labour market with an unemployment rate higher than the national average. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate was 63,9% for those aged 15-24 and 42,1% for those aged 25-34 years, while the current official national rate stands at 34,5%.” https://lnkd.in/dt28mQGm

An online article titled “Impacts of Unemployment on Young Adults”, reports that “unemployment among young adults has also been found to result in reduced happiness as well as health problems among the youth. This has especially been a result of social exclusion stress and worries associated with unemployment. To try and forget about their problems and worries, they [youth] often find themselves using various drugs or becoming heavy alcohol consumers. On the other hand, unemployment has been associated with increased levels of crime among young adults.” https://lnkd.in/dpd8UK7x

As we commemorate June 16, remembering fellow brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers whose lives were sacrificed, not just on that fateful day in 1976… but throughout history, and most especially to date… as the renowned ‘social activist and community development practitioner’, Ishmael Mkhabela – once aptly proclaimed, “Let June 16 serve as a good sign to launch us to another revolution.” Let us “Heal South Africa